VALUE

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

Porsche is the king of options and it's no different with the top whack Cayenne. A digital radio costs extra, as does radar cruise. And there's all manner of performance options, such as the $6390 sports exhaust system that adds extra aural beef to our car. But sat-nav, leather, electric front seats, a reversing camera and hulking 21-inch alloys are part of the deal, as are LED headlights (with cornering function) and rain-sensing wipers. The seats are heated front and rear, too, and there's dual-zone ventilation controls. Plus there are 10 colours to choose from before paying more for "special" colours. Bose audio encompasses 14 speakers with 585W of power.

Range Rover Sport SVR

From the outset you've got $65k more to play with while also getting more gear. Digital radio, head-up display, auto high beam and lane departure warning are standard but, like the Porsche, there's no auto emergency braking. Those in the rear get separate temperature control settings as part of the tri-zone ventilation system. Even the sound system outpunches the Porsche's; a 19-speaker, 825W Meridian setup (ours had the optional 23-speaker system with double that output). There's also sat-nav, leather, electric seats, auto wipers, heated pews front and rear, reversing camera and 21-inch wheels. Headlights are older tech xenon, though, and white is the only standard colour; others add between $2100 and $4200.

Range Rover Sport SVR. Photo: Supplied

Winner: Range Rover

INSIDE

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

Purposeful instrument cluster puts digital speedo and tacho front and centre for the driver. Busy selection of switches (including some on the roof) and smaller 7.1-inch screen, which has bland, grey-on-grey menus. Great body hugging front seats and a 40/20/40 split-fold rear seat setup increases bulky loading flexibility. Luggage area at a more user-friendly height and with a larger load area. Lower rear floor makes for easier entry and egress, while knee room is more adult friendly.

Range Rover Sport SVR

Great front seats and cossetting feel. Higher floor makes for a bigger clamber inside, though, even with the suspension lowered to its loading height. Tighter rear leg room once there, and folding seats are only a 60/40 setup. Misses out on the seven-seat option of other Sports. Cleaner dash design makes for simpler operation of main functions, though, while larger (8.0-inch) touchscreen better fills the dash and looks snazzier thanks to better use of colour.

Winner: Porsche

UNDER THE BONNET

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

It's the fastest Porsche SUV ever, claimed to lap the benchmark 20.8km Nurburgring 14 seconds faster than its Range Rover competition. The 0-100km/h sprint takes just 4.1 seconds, making this one seriously quick machine. Smart auto transmission, too, with three drive modes depending on how aggressive you want the shifts and throttle response; hooks up nicely from a standstill, too. Stop-start system saves some fuel, but with claimed consumption of 11.5L/100km it's no miser (15.9L/100km around town). Turbo S gets 120Nm torque advantage and almost 100kg less weight makes for better mid-range punch. Throttle response isn't as sharp but once the turbos kick in there's little to stop the Turbo S.

Range Rover Sport SVR

And… it's the fastest Range Rover ever, courtesy of a supercharged V8. The 0-100km/h dash takes 4.7 seconds but rolling acceleration initially feels brisker thanks to near-instant throttle response. Auto transmission also well suited to the high performance task, especially when flicked into Sport mode and with the Track setting selected on the Terrain Select knob. Fantastic drama from raucous exhaust note (the neighbours may not share your enthusiasm) especially the energetic full-throttle bark. SVR uses a claimed 13.7L/100km average, or a massive 20.5L/100km around town (there's no stop-start, either), so it's thirsty.

Winner: Porsche

ON THE ROAD

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

Despite Porsche's heritage, the 2.2 tonne heft dilutes any chance of nimble roadholding. But the Cayenne's 21-inch Yokohama tyres grip nicely, while the SUV sits impressively flat when punted around bends. Highlight of the dynamic package are phenomenal brakes; cross-drilled carbon ceramic discs with 10-piston front calipers make for potent stopping power. They bite hard and never hint of fade, even after extreme punishment. The Porsche is also plusher in its softest suspension setting; adjustable dampers allow switching between Comfort and very stiff Sport Plus (best leave it to tracks or super smooth roads); middle Sport setting is a good compromise for backroad blasts.

Range Rover Sport SVR

Active lean control and adaptive dynamics do a great job of countering left-right body movement, but there's noticeable fore-aft pitching at city speeds. Rises to the occasion of tackling some tighter corners – with superb grip from optional 22-inch Continental tyres on our car - and feels surprisingly agile for a Range Rover. Track mode tightens things and helps better tie it down over bumps. Six-piston Brembo brakes with steel discs pull up nicely but ultimately relent to the 2.3 tonne bulk if you punish them from speed or down a long hill. Tow capacity is 3000kg, which is 500kg less than the Porsche (and other Sports).

Winner: Porsche

OFF-ROAD

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

Up to 273mm of ground clearance (215mm at regular suspension height) and 500mm wading depth through water. Approach angle of 29.8 degrees approach angle and departure angle of 26.7 degrees. Flimsy plastic underbody protection is more about smoothing the air flow than protecting from hits. Only high range gearing and wheel articulation not as pronounced, either, reducing usefulness in really rough stuff.

Range Rover Sport SVR

Up to 278mm of ground clearance (standard height is 213mm) and 850mm wading depth. Better approach and departure angles, too, at 33.0 and 31.0 degrees respectively. Despite race track focus with SVR, Range Rover still endows it with a dual-range transfer case and more rugged metal underbody protection for serious off-roading. Clever Terrain Response system tailors the electronics – including tricky auto locking differentials – to various conditions, including snow, rocks, mud and sand. Road-focused low profile tyres will be its biggest limited factor off-road.

Winner: Range Rover

VERDICT

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

Faster, more comfortable and with sharper dynamics, the Porsche mounts a convincing case for those looking for a very quick SUV. Throw in some restrained cabin bling and some of the best brakes in the business and the Turbo S is a solid choice for those who insist on something different. Keep it to the black-top, though, because this one is more about race tracks than bush tracks. It's not perfect – the throttle response could be sharper – and makes you pay for the privilege.

Range Rover Sport SVR

If you want your hotshot off-roader to actually go off-road then the SVR is the only choice, albeit with the caveat that those enormous tyres are not as accomplished as the rest of the car. Brutal V8 makes all the right noises and in some instances feels quicker than the Porsche. But embarrassingly thirsty. Fantastic grip and poise through corners, too. Stylish and functional interior is also a win.